ISLAMABAD: Amid escalating unrest in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), hundreds of school children in uniforms, accompanied by their teachers and parents, gathered at Rawalakot's Eidgah Ground, waving white flags and condemning the Pakistani military's brutal crackdown in the occupied territory.
The demonstration came after Pakistani authorities on Sunday warned that the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) would be held accountable for any untoward incident involving students during its planned protests, local media reported.
Defying the warning, several students turned out in large numbers on Monday carrying banners that read "International Media Give Us Coverage", and raising slogans against the Pakistani Army, such as "Yeh jo deshatgardi hai, iske peeche wardi hai! (Behind the terrorism is the uniform)".
These ongoing protests across PoK have emerged as a direct challenge to Islamabad's long-standing control in the region, with Pakistani forces unleashing a brutal crackdown that reportedly left dozens of civilians dead and injured, while the region remains under a strict blockade, curfew, and a total communications blackout.
Meanwhile, the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) held a conference bringing together leaders, journalists, and civil society from across the PoK and the global diaspora to discuss the human rights abuses, ongoing siege, and brutal crackdown on the peaceful civilians by the Pakistani authorities in the occupied territory.
According to the UKPNP, the participants called on the Pakistani authorities to immediately end the use of brutal force, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances; release all detained individuals and produce them before courts; and ensure unconditional return of the bodies of those killed since June 5.
It also urged the authorities to withdraw the ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), restore internet, mobile services, and essential supplies, including food and medicines in the region.
The group further demanded withdrawal of Pakistani security forces from hospitals and ensure safe medical access to people in PoK.
Last week, the JAAC announced a long march towards Muzaffarabad in PoK on July 15, while urging the people across the region to join the protest in large numbers.
Citing reports, the JAAC also said that another two young men were killed in the firing by the Pakistani forces, as tensions in the occupied territory intensified.
"Every ruler sitting in the Muzaffarabad Assembly is responsible for this massacre -- people will remember that the killers of these young men of ours are the Pakistani forces and the rulers of Muzaffarabad," JAAC posted on social media platform X.
"On one side, we are lifting the bodies of our young brothers; the remains of those killed a month ago are still kept in custody, and on the other side, the rulers are turning this massacre into an election celebration by ignoring it. We will take revenge for the blood of the deceased from these killers," it added.
--IANS
